Lifestyle.

Doctors Did Their Duty, And Made A Life Miserable

November 19, 1995|By Ann Landers.

Dear Ann Landers: My mother-in-law recently passed away after being on a feeding tube for more than eight years. She was 72, weighed 65 pounds and was unable to swallow because of Parkinson's disease when the tube was inserted. That poor woman was flat on her back and unable to move for the entire eight years.

When we questioned the doctors about removing the feeding tube, they refused, saying she would starve to death. All family members agreed that refusing to remove the feeding tube was cruel and inhumane for all concerned. My father-in-law, who was in fairly good health before this happened, had a heart attack and later developed Alzheimer's. My husband and I then had the responsibility of caring for two ailing parents.

Eventually, the feeding tube accidentally came out, and my mother-in-law chose to leave it that way. Since she was coherent, that decision was legal. She lasted 25 days but was kept comfortable the entire time.

We need to keep our loved ones who are terminally ill comfortable, but they should be permitted to go when their time comes. If only one doctor reconsiders using a feeding tube, this letter will have been worth writing. Please print it.

Phoenix

Dear Phoenix: The doctors' refusal to remove your mother-in-law's feeding tube was totally appropriate--not only from a medical viewpoint but also legally. Had they removed the tube, they could have been charged with murder.

When the tube accidentally fell out and your mother-in-law chose not to have it reinserted, the physicians on the case were no longer responsible for what happened. She had a right to make that decision, and because she was of sound mind, no illegality on the part of the physicians could be charged.

You plead that terminally ill loved ones should be kept comfortable but "allowed to go when their time comes." I agree. But in the case of your mother-in-law, there was still a possibility that she would recover when the feeding tube was inserted. However, eight years on a feeding tube cannot be anybody's idea of living.

In my opinion, patients who are terminally ill should be kept as comfortable as possible, but no extraordinary efforts should be made to keep them alive. The quality of life is zero, and it's hell on family and friends.

No problems, for now

Dear Ann Landers: I am a 15-year-old boy, and I don't have any problems right now, but I might have some later. If I do, I will let you know.

I have been reading your column in the Hartford, Conn., paper ever since I was in the 7th grade. It has helped me with my spelling, but that is about all. To be honest with you, I think most people who write to you are stupid. If they had any brains, they would figure things out themselves and not ask a stranger for help.

My grades are pretty good, and I plan to go to Yale. I know a lot of Yalies write to you, so don't be surprised if you hear from me again. I am signing my real name, but don't put it in the paper. I would be totally grossed out. Just sign me . . .

Connecticut Person

Dear Connecticut Person: By the time you get to Yale, the problems in this column won't look so stupid. You will probably have had a few of the same ones yourself. If something comes up that you think I can help with, let me know. That's what I'm here for.

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